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Putting God's Word Online

The Old and New Testament Sacrifices/Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:1-4: “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

The writer of Hebrews now moves on to tell us about the Old Testament sacrifices: “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” In other words; the Old Testament sacrifices were only a picture, or a shadow of the gospel. And because those sacrifices were only a shadow, and not the reality, then could not take away sin. Therefor, they needed to be offered again and again. Unlike Christ, who died once for all, and through His one death, He bought forgiveness from sin, and freedom from guilt.

The writer of Hebrews continues to say that if the Old Testament sacrifices really could have taken away sin, they would have stopped being offered. And not only that, but Jesus would have died for nothing. Those sacrifices could never take away sins, they were a reminder of sin; “But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.” The sacrifices were a shadow to point to Christ and the cross.

All believers receive the forgiveness from sin, and the freedom from guilt that comes in Christ. Our sin no longer holds on to us, it’s death grip was broken by Christ when He died on the cross. But how did Jesus break sins death grip by dying? Jesus broke sins grip on us, and placed it on Himself, and when Jesus died, our sin died with Him. This is what all believers receive in Christ: Forgiveness, and freedom from guilt, and sin’s grip on our life. Only believers in Jesus Christ receive this blessing, but anyone can come to the Lord, if you are not a believer in Jesus, please call out to Him for forgiveness today.

To all my brothers and sisters in Christ, remember the gospel, and remember that the Old Testament is a shadow the gospel. There are so many shadows of the gospel in the Old Testament, when you read the Old Testament, look for these shadows. Don’t get caught up in the flame of the picture. Meaning, when you read, see what the verse “Means to Them” (What importance does that verse hold for the people in that time reading it.), and then move on to the cross, and “Camp” out their for a while. Here are some of the shadows in the Old Testament: On the third day the Earth rose (Jesus rose on the third day.) When Adam and Eve sinned, God clothed them with a sacrifice (We, the sinners, are clothed with Christ). These are only two out of thousands of shadows in the Old Testament.

Consider: Colossians 2:17: “These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Jesus is the picture, and the shadows in the Old Testament are the frame. Fix your eyes on the cross, and not on the shadows.

Jesus is the reality, He really did removed all sin from our lives through His death and resurrection. Jesus did so such for us through His own death and resurrection, we no longer need to offer sacrifices, because Jesus was the last sacrifice, the only sacrifice that truly took away sin. Thank You Lord!

Heavenly Father, I thank You, for sending down Your only Son, Jesus, in order to gain many Sons and Daughters in the death and resurrection of Jesus. And Jesus, I thank You for taking away my sin, and for blessing me with so many blessings that I did not deserve. Holy Spirit, please help me to see the “big” picture in each passage I read, please remind me of the gospel. In Jesus’ name, amen.